Sea access to Karimunjaya

JEPARA, Central Java: Access to the Karimunjaya Islands in the Java sea has been restored, with the start of the regular shipping service from here by the Jakarta-based PT Addision Pacific Bahari Lines.

The Graydash ship began its service from here on Friday, charging Rp 10,000 a passenger and Rp 25,000 for a cabin. The liner hopes these rates are sufficiently attractive to lure travelers.

Rudolph Rumamby, a financial staff member of Addision said the service is subsidized by the local government to the tune of Rp 2 million a month because the operation is a money-losing venture.

Graydash was previously leased to an oil drilling company for operations off the Madura Island in eastern Java. (har/emb)